Baby’s first Disney trip

What’s getting ready for Disney like with a baby!? It’s stressful, magical and filled with pixie dust! We took my oldest for his first Disney trip when he was 7 months but he went to Disney springs at 3  moths and my youngest was 11 months for his first park experience! He was 4 weeks when he went too Disney springs. I guess you can say a Disney trip before one in my family is a right of passage! In this blog I’ll share my experiences and tips for going to Disney with a child under 1!  

First off make sure you have a stroller that has cup holders and a good size basket (you will need it)! Cup holders are essential for all of the amazing drinks you can get while visiting the parks as well Disney springs. Because my boys were both small when we went we used our travel system (car seat, Stroller combo) and it was wonderful (Please keep in mind that strollers must be folded when boarding a bus, tram and smaller boats you can leave them open on the larger ferries as well as the monorail).  One of the good things was not needing to wake baby up when you get to a dining reservation and they fall asleep on the walk there. Also in most cases it will provide extra shade (stroller shade and car seat shade). In this blog I will share packing and planning tips. 

In a future blog I’ll share my top rated stroller picks as well as the pros and cons) I am gonna pick my 2 favorite for each price point. 

Now, come along for the ride and please keep hands, feet, arms and legs inside at all time and supervise small children ;).

Let’s get started with the planning process! This can be stressful but with a travel agent who has young kids herself there’s no need too worry! I’m here to hold your hand and be your fairy godmother! Here are my top resort picks for those with young children!  

Fort wilderness campground and cabins! Did you know that you don’t need to own a camper or RV to stay at the Fort Wilderness?! You can rent a camper or stay in one of their beautiful cabins! Your transportation options at fort wilderness are boat, bus and minnivan. 

If fort wilderness isn’t your cup of tea let’s take a look at wilderness lodge which is located right across the lake. Wilderness lodge offers wonderful pools, beautiful grounds and a great selection of room categories! Your transportation options are ferry, bus and Minnivan. 

If you want something on the monorail loop your have your choice of Polynesian, Grand Floridian and the contemporary resort. All three of these resorts offer something unique wether it’s an over the water bungalow at Disney’s Polynesian resort, a 1 bedroom suite at Bay lake towers or being club level at the Grand Floridian being on the monorail loop is helpful especially with little ones. Other transportation options at these resorts are ferries, bus and Minnievan. 

If you still want transportation that still allows you to use your stroller but at a more budget friendly price tag let’s hop on the skyliner loop! The skyliner is a gondola that takes you from select resorts to select parks (Double strollers will need too be folded in order too fit). 

First resort on the list is Disney’s Caribbean beach where you can stay in a pirate pollview room over looking the fabulous pool! If you want too stay in a finding Nemo, cars or lion king family suite head over to Art of Animation. If you want something a little more luxurious head over too Disney’s newest resort Riviera where you can enjoy a wonderful breakfast at Toppolinos. Parks that are available VIA skyliner are Disneys Hollywood studios and EPCOT! Other transportation options at these resorts are busses.

If you want to walk too EPCOT come visit Disney’s boardwalk! Along the boardwalk you will be surrounded by amazing food, games and resorts! If you want an amazing pool be sure to check out Disney’s beach and yacht club! Relax is the sandy bottom pool and lazy river! Also enjoy the nice walk to  EPCOT where you will enter through the international gateway and discover the different countries. 

If you don’t mind using the buses and want too see some animals check out animal kingdom lodge!  be sure to get the Savannah view to see the amazing animals! 

Don’t forget those park passes and meal plans. 

Congrats! You’ve booked baby’s first Walt Disney World vacation! Now onto the packing! 

This is where it gets either really fun or stressful! Here are some of my tips too help you! First get those Disney themed outfit picked out! You can find adorable ones at your Disney store, Disney.com, target, Kohl’s and Walmart. In order to save space while packing grab some gallon size ziplock bags and pack each day in there and if you are like me you label what park it is for. Once baby is dressed for the day Just put the ziplock bag in the diaper bag! The ziplock bag also serves as a bag for a spit up or a spill incident! Take the clean clothes out of the bag and place the dirty ones in the ziplock bag. I pack 3 outfits per day. One Disney themed outfit, one back up outfit and a pair of pajamas as shown in the picture. Make sure to squeeze the air out of the bag to really maximize the space! 

Now it’s time to pack the diaper bag! This can be overwhelming (Video to come)! I have the skip hop duo weekender and it’s perfect (this bag is no longer made but I’ll try and find one comparable)! What i love about this diaper bag is the size of it and all of the pockets that are on the inside! I keep a container of wipes in the center, diapers on one side receiving blankets, the outfits , diapers cream and formula. I kept bottles filled with water on the side and extra bottles and bottled water in the bag also. There was even space left over and i was able to get my wallet and wristlet in the big part. My cell phone went In the front zipper. 

Now that you have baby packed it’s time too get yourself packed and on the plane or on the road! 

If you are driving I suggest leaving early in the morning or late at night so baby is sleeping for a good portion of the ride. 

If you are flying make sure baby has a ticket so that they can remain in their car seat for the flight! This is for their comfort and most importantly their safety. Also checking their seat can cause damage or a lost seat. 

Once you have landed at Orlando international Airport this is where the magic begins! Follow the signs for magical express and have a magic visit!